OHSU-AFSCME collective bargaining enters week eight

 

Members of the OHSU and AFSCME collective bargaining teams met May 3. After last week’s deadline for final new proposals, this week the teams exchanged several counter-proposals, with much of the conversation centered on tightening language and clarifying intent.

Nine Tentative Agreements were also reached:

• 5.EX3 Split shifts definition
• 5.EX4 Business day definition
• 6.8.1 Personnel file contents
• 7.10 Shift trades
• 12.5 Accrual limit
• 14.1.5 Test and interview leave
• 18.1.5    Restriction on bids
• Appendix C – Employee Benefits Council
• MOU #13 Employee Advisory Council

 

OHSU COUNTER-PROPOSALS:

The OHSU bargaining team offered several counter-proposals to AFSCME’s prior proposals:

• 6.13 Contracting: Countered with current contract language plus a grammar change.
• 12.7 Vacation donation pool: Proposed updated language with fewer days absent to be eligible.
• Appendix G – Guidelines on reaching consensus: Responded with language that incorporated many of the union’s proposed changes.

In addition, the OHSU collective bargaining team submitted a package proposal related to coaching and progressive discipline, responding to a number of AFSCME’s proposals.

 

AFSCME COUNTER-PROPOSALS:

The AFSCME collective bargaining team submitted several counter-proposals about the following:

• 6.X Exit interviews: Proposed language firming up timelines to begin exit interviews.
• 7.4 Availability of additional work: Countered with current contract language and had additional conversation regarding the content of this article.
• 7.6 Meal periods: Countered with current contract language and had additional conversation regarding the content of this article.
• 7.12 Modified operations: Countered with a combination of OHSU’s and AFSCME’s last proposals.
• 8.6 Upward adjustments: Countered with current contract language, with some upkeep.
• 12.4.3 Submission and granting of vacation and holiday requests: Countered with current contract language, with some upkeep.
• 22.1.1 Education and training hours: Proposed language related to increased education and training hours.
• MOU UX7 Employee designations: Asked to receive data regarding employees designated as critical function, work in hospital units or have seven-day operations.
• MOU Daily overtime, weekend, shift differential waivers: Proposed current contract language.

 

UPCOMING MEDIATION:

Bargaining sessions will continue through May, with mediation beginning May 24, as agreed by both parties. Mediation is a routine part of the collective bargaining process where a neutral third party works with both parties to facilitate reaching an agreement. Because of the often-confidential nature of mediation, we may have fewer bargaining updates once mediation begins.

 

NEXT MEETING DATE:

Collective bargaining will continue Tuesday, May 10.

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